Reds Win Opener Of Spring Training Over Indians 8-3.

Feb 15, 2014; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price during team workouts on the practice fields of Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Baseball is back.

New Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price won in his managerial debut, Joey Votto and Ryan Ludwick, the leaders in the team, delivered RBI’s as the Reds defeat the Cleveland Indians 8-3 on Wednesday.

Price, the Reds’ pitching coach last season, was promoted to manager when the team fired Dusty Baker after an inconsistent 2013 season, that did saw the team make their third playoff appearance in four years.

Chris Heisey hit a two run bomb and a double in the game today. Ludwick has recovered from a shoulder injury, that happened in opening day last season and it cost him most of the season and was limited after his return. He drove in a run with a single.

Billy Hamilton, the Reds’ leadoff hitter and stolen base machine, drew a walk in his first at-bat of the Spring and then “surprisingly” stole second and kept running to third as the ball went to centerfield. He’s expected to replace Shin-Soo Choo in centerfield.

Votto, who drove in a disappointing 73 runs last season, got a RBI hit today off of a lefty reliever from the Indians.

NOTES:

* Alfredo Simon got the start and pitched two solid scoreless innings. He’s been the long man out of the Cincinnati bullpen in the last two years, but is being considered as a starter, highly doubt it though.

* Ace Johnny Cueto arrived at camp in better shape, its key he stays healthy like in 2012.

*Mat Latos and Jonathan Broxton continue to work on coming back off elbow surgeries.

*Brandon Phillips jammed his finger sliding into second base in the first inning, but thankfully he remained in the game and will be OK.

Next game: Tomorrow vs Indians 3pm from Goodyear, AZ listen to it on 700 WLW or catch the television broadcast at 5pm on MLB Network.